Tool container

ABSTRACT

A tool container has a pair of housing members pivotally coupled with one another to provide an opened and closed position. At least one of the members defines a cavity to receive tools. The cavity is defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. A tool retaining insert is permanently secured in the cavity. The insert and wall include tenons and grooves to secure the insert in the housing member. Also, an arcuate locking mechanism is included to maintain the pair of housing members in a closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to tool containers and, morespecifically, to containers which include inserts to retain the toolswithin the container.

[0002] Tool users, whether casual or professional, desire to maintaintheir tools in some type of organized fashion. Tool organization enablesa user to readily find the tool, use it, and return it to its place.Thus, several types of tool containers have been provided to serve sucha function.

[0003] While the tool containers work satisfactorily for their designedpurpose, these containers have their drawbacks. One such drawback issome containers are not rugged enough to withstand the day-to-daypunishment which a professional user subjects his tools to. Also, thecontainers may be large, awkward and difficult to be handled by theuser. Further, the containers may not provide an aesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides the art with a tool containerwhich overcomes the above shortcomings. The present invention providesthe art with a tool case which is durable and easily manipulated by theuser. The tool case is rugged enough to withstand the daily use of aprofessional user, while providing a pleasing aesthetic appearance.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a tool containercomprises a pair of housing members pivotally coupled with one another.The pair of housing members open and close with respect to one another.At least one member defines a cavity to receive tools in the cavity. Thecavity is defined by a base and a peripheral wall extending from thebase. An insert for retaining tools is permanently secured in thehousing. The insert has a surface mechanism to secure with the housingmember base or wall. Also, a mechanism is present to lock the pair ofhousing members together in a closed position. The surface mechanism toretain the insert within the housing may be comprised of a plurality ofalternating dove-tail recesses and tenons on the insert and the walls.The tenons are received by opposing recesses. The tenons have a frontface which is angled with respect to vertical at about one (1°) degree.Also, the recesses have a surface angled corresponding to the front faceof the tenon for locking the insert within the cavity. Alternatively,the housing base may have a roughed surface. Likewise, the insert wouldalso have a roughed surface wherein the rough surfaces areultrasonically welded together. The locking mechanism includes anarcuate rail member on each of the housing members and a latch with achannel to receive the rail members. The latch moves on the rail from alocked to an unlocked position. The rail members, as well as the channelfor receiving the rail are both arcuate in a longitudinal as well aslateral direction. Further, the latch includes a first and second set ofindicia which indicate a locked and unlocked position as well asdirectional movements. The latch member includes first and secondmembers; the first member provides rigidity and includes a portion whichprojects through the second member. The first and second indicia havecontrasting colors with respect to one another.

[0006] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a latch isprovided to retain the housing pairs in locked and unlocked positions.The latch includes a channel defined by an arcuate base surface, a pairof side walls extending from the base, and a pair of flanges extendingfrom the side walls toward one another. The base surface is arcuatealong both the longitudinal and lateral axes. One of the flangesincludes a cut-out to enhance coupling with the housing pair. The latchincludes two sets of indicia, one to indicate a locked and unlockedposition, while the other indicates directional movement. The latch iscomprised of a first and second member, the first member providingrigidity. A portion of the first member extends through the secondmember to provide an indicia member. Also, the indicia member issubstantially flush with the second member.

[0007] In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, a retaininginsert is provided to retain tools within the container. The insertincludes a body member with a plurality of V-shaped tool receivingcradles. A mechanism to retain the tools within the cradle is coupledwith the body adjacent the tool receiving cradles. The mechanism andV-shaped cradles self-orientate the tool bits in the cradle. Themechanism includes fingers which extend from the insert. The fingers, ifnecessary, rotate the tool bit to seat the tool bit with an apex of thetool bit in the apex of the V-shaped tool receiving channel. TheV-shaped cradle has an aperture dividing the cradle into two spacedV-shaped cradle portions. The two fingers are positioned adjacent theaperture to enable flexing of the fingers which, in turn, enable thefingers to spread apart to receive a tool bit in the V-shaped cradle.Also, a wall member is positioned at an end of the insert adjacent thetool receiving V-shaped cradles. The inserts include a tenon and arecess to couple the insert with a container to position the insert in aplurality of positions within the container. The inserts may includeeight or five V-shaped tool receiving cradles.

[0008] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, a toolcontainer comprises a housing member defining a cavity to receive tools.The cavity is defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. Aplurality of inserts to retain tools are capable of beingmulti-positioned in the housing member. The inserts, after determining aposition in the housing, are permanently secured in the cavity. Theinserts include a surface to secure the housing member with a base orwall. The surface may include alternating tenons and grooves for matingwith corresponding wall tenons and grooves. Likewise, the walls mayinclude either a cut-out or projection member where the inserts includean opposing mating projection member or cut-out to enablemulti-positions for the inserts within the housing.

[0009] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, a method ofmaking a tool container comprises providing a housing member having acavity defined by a base and a wall extending from the base. Alsoprovided is at least one tool receiving insert having a plurality oftool receiving members. The wall or base and the at least one toolreceiving insert have a mating mechanism. The insert may be positionedin one of a plurality of positions within the cavity. At the positioningpoints, the mating mechanisms mate with one another. The insert issecured into the cavity. A plurality of inserts may be provided andpositioned and secured within the cavity. Also, a second housing membermay be hingedly secured to the first housing member to provide a secondcavity wherein additional inserts may be positioned and secured to thesecond housing member.

[0010] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, a method ofsecuring a tool bit in a tool retaining insert comprises providing atool retaining insert having at least one V-shaped tool receivingcradle. Two fingers extend from the insert adjacent the V-shapedreceiving cradle. A tool with a polygonal cross-section is provided. Thetool is positioned on the fingers. A force is applied onto the tool tospread the fingers apart so that the tool enters into the fingers. Uponforcing the tool past the fingers into the V-shaped cradle, as the toolpasses the fingers, if necessary, the tool is rotated such that an apexof the tool seats in the apex of the V-shaped cradle self-orientatingthe tool in the cradle. If rotation of the tool is not necessary, theapex of the tool will seat directly within the apex of the V-shapedcradle.

[0011] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more fully apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool container of the presentinvention in a closed position.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool container of the presentinvention in an open position.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a plan view like that of FIG. 2 illustrating multipleinserts.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 2 illustrating multiple insertspositioned in other multiple positions.

[0016]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow 6.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow 7.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of FIG. 6 along line 8-8 thereof.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the latch in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a cross-section view through the latch of FIG. 9.

[0022]FIG. 11 is another cross-section view through the latch in FIG. 9.

[0023]FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial plan view of FIG. 2 along line12-12 thereof.

[0024]FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of FIG. 12 along line 13-13thereof.

[0025]FIG. 14 is a plan view along arrow 14 of FIG. 5.

[0026]FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of the insert of FIG. 5.

[0027]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tool receiving insert inaccordance with the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another tool receiving insert ofthe present invention.

[0029]FIG. 18 is a cross-section view of FIG. 16 along line 18-18thereof.

[0030]FIG. 19 is a view like FIG. 18 with the tool in a second position.

[0031]FIG. 20 is a view like FIG. 18 with the tool in a seated position.

[0032]FIG. 21 is a view like FIG. 2 of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0033]FIG. 22 is a view like FIG. 3 of the alternate embodiment of FIG.21.

[0034]FIG. 23 is a view like FIG. 4 of the alternate embodiment of FIG.21.

[0035]FIG. 24 is a partial perspective view of an insert of FIG. 22 or23.

[0036]FIG. 25 is a cross-section view of FIG. 21 along lines 25-25thereof.

[0037]FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of FIG. 21 along lines 26-26thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0038] Turning to the figures, particularly FIG. 1, a tool container isshown and designated with the reference numeral 20. The tool container20 includes two housing members 22 and 24, which are pivotally securedtogether by a hinge 26. The housing members 22, 24 also include alocking mechanism 28 to maintain the container 20 in a closed position.

[0039] Turning to FIG. 2, the container 20 is illustrated in an openposition. Each half may include one or more tool retaining inserts 30,32, 34. The tool retaining inserts may retain tool bits or the like,such as drill bits and screwdriver bits.

[0040]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate embodiments like FIG. 2. Here, inserts32, 34, 36 and 37 are shown in multiple positions in the housing members22 and 24. As can be seen, the inserts may be positioned at a pluralityof different predetermined positions or orientations in each housingmember 22, 24. Any one of the insert and housing mating surfaces enablethe accurate positioning and orientating in the housing members. Theplurality of positions enhances the versatility of the tool container.

[0041] The housing members 22 and 24 are substantially similar andinclude cavities 38 and 40 defined by a base 42, 44 and a peripheralwall 46, 48. The housing members 22, 24 have an overall rectangularshape with the peripheral walls 46, 48 defining lateral walls 50, 52,54, 56 and longitudinal walls 58, 60, 62, 64. The longitudinal walls 60and 62 at their open ends include hinge members 68. Hinge member 68 hasan overall C-shape which snap fits onto the pin member 70. The pinmembers 70 are separated by barrel members 72. Thus, the hinge 26enables the housing members 22 and 24 to pivotally open and close thecontainer 20.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 7, the longitudinal walls 58, 60, 62, 64include a plurality of alternating dove-tail tenons 74 and recesses 76.The tenons 74 are narrower at the top and become wider at the base,having an overall trapezoidal shape. The tenons 74 have a front face 78which is angled with respect to vertical at an angle of about one (1°)degree. Also, the tenons 74 have side faces 80 and 82 which also definethe sides of the recesses 76, which are likewise angled with respect tovertical at an angle of about two (2°) degrees. Further, the recesses76, which are defined by the side faces 80 and 82, include a rear face84. The rear face 84 is angled with respect to the vertical. Also, therecess 76 has a larger opening at the top of the wall which becomesnarrow or tapered near the base 42, 44 to have an overall trapezoidalshape. The tenons 74 and recesses 76 have a dove-tail shape and areadapted to receive the corresponding dove-tail recesses and tenons,respectively, of the tool retaining inserts 30, 32, 34, 36, 37 as seenin FIG. 10. Once the tenons and recesses of the walls and inserts arecoupled with one another, due to the wedging action of the frictionforces, they become substantially permanently retained within thehousing cavities.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8, the locking mechanism 28 includesa rail 90 and a latch 92. The rail 90 includes rail portions 94 and 96on the housing pair 22 and 24. The housing portion 94 extends above thelongitudinal wall 64 to retain the latch 92 when the latch is in anunlocked position. The rail portion 96, approximately half the width ofthe rail 90, fits into a cut-out 98 in the rail portion 94 so that in aclosed position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the rail 90 appearscontinuous so that when the latch is moved to a locked position, therail portion 96 as well as the rail portion 94 are held together by thelatch 92.

[0044] With respect to FIGS. 2-5, the rail portions 94 and 96 arearcuate along the longitudinal axis of the rail 90. Likewise, the railportions 94 and 96 are arcuate in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis as seen in FIG. 8. Thus, the rail 90 is arcuate in twoplanes. The arc of the rail in the longitudinal direction follows withthe overall contour of the tool container. The transverse arc enablesbetter removal of the housing member from the mold die.

[0045] In FIG. 9, the latch 92 has an overall rectangular shape. Thelatch is formed from a first rigid polypropylene member 95 and a secondkrayton soft cover 97. The cover is molded on top of the rigid base 95to provide a soft gripping surface for the user. The cover follows thecontour of the first member 94. Thus, the latch 92 has an outer arcuatesurface adapted to be contacted by the user's thumb. The arcuate surfaceenables the thumb to rotate and have an ergonomic feel as it is movedbetween the locked and unlocked positions. The outer arcuate surface 99includes indicia 100 formed in the cover member 97. The indiciaindicates the locked and unlocked position. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6and 11, the first member 95 includes indicia members 102 and 104 whichproject into the cover 97. The indicia members 102 and 104 also have anarcuate outer surface consistent with the contour of the first member94. The indicia 102 and 104 are arrows indicating movement of the latch92 and are flush with the cover 97 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Also, thearrows 102 and 104 are preferably yellow in color while the cover aswell as indicia 100 are black. This provides a contrasting aestheticappearance for the user.

[0046] The latch 92 also includes a channel 106 for receiving the railportions 94 and 96. The channel 106 is defined by an arcuate base 108, apair of opposing side walls 110 and 112, and a pair of opposing flanges114 and 116 extending toward one another from the walls 110 and 112.Thus, the channel 106 includes an arcuate base 108 which conforms to thearcuate rails and has flanges 110, 112 to secure with the ends 111, 113of the rails 90. Also, one of the flanges 114 includes a cut-out portion118. The width of the channel between the flanges is substantiallyconstant. However, at the cut-out 118, the width is larger than theremaining channel. Thus, as flange 116 is captured under rail end 113,and cut-out 118 contacts rail end 111, the larger width channel at thecut-out 118 enables flange 114 to easily snap on to rail end 111, tosecure the latch 92 with the rails 90. Also, the arcuate surface 108 isarcuate along the channel axis as well as transverse to the channelaxis. Thus, the surface 108 is arcuate in two directions to follow thecontour of the rail. The substantially matching arcuateness of both thechannel and the rails enables smooth movement of the latch 92 along therail 90.

[0047] The tool-retaining inserts 30, 32, 34, 36, 37 include a pluralityof tool-receiving recesses 120 and a plurality of tool-retaining fingers124. The tool is placed into the recess and is maintained in the recessby the retaining fingers 124. The tool retaining inserts 30, 32 may havea stepped configuration with a plurality of curved cut-outs 126 enablingthe tools to be inserted into the stepped portion to receive the tools.

[0048] The sides of the inserts 30, 32, 34, 36, 37 include mating tenonsand recesses 132 and 134 to mate, respectively, with recesses 76 andtenons 74, respectively, of the housing members 22, 24 (see FIGS.14-17). The tenons 132 have angled front faces 136 and angled sides 138and 140. They are angled with respect to the vertical at an angle ofabout one (1°) and two (2°) degrees, respectively. Also, the tenons 132are larger at the top and smaller at the bottom of the insert to providean overall trapezoidal shape. The recesses 134 are defined by the walls138, 140 of the tenons and include an angled base 144. The base islarger at the bottom and smaller at the top of the insert to provide anoverall trapezoidal shape. Thus, the tool retaining insert 30, 32, 34,36, 37 is positioned inside of the housing members 22, 24 so that awedging friction fit is maintained between the housing members and theinserts. The friction fit is such that the tool retaining inserts aresubstantially permanently maintained in the housing halves.

[0049] Turn to FIGS. 16 and 17 for a better understanding of the inserts34, 36, 37. FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the insert 34.Here, the insert 34 has a body 150 with eight tool receiving recesses120. Each tool receiving recess 120 includes a pair of tool retainingfingers 124 on each side of the tool receiving recess 120. The toolreceiving recesses 120 include a V-shaped tool receiving cradle 152. TheV-shaped tool receiving cradle 152 is separated into two cradle portions154 and 156 by an aperture 158. The aperture 158 enhances the molding ofthe insert as well as providing flex for the fingers 124 when they arespread apart to receive a tool as will be described herein.

[0050] The fingers 124 are positioned adjacent the aperture 158 andinclude a barbed member 160 at the free end of the fingers 124. Thebarbs 160 include a flat surface 161 which helps to retain a tool bit inthe V-shaped cradle 152. Also, a wall member 162 is positioned on oneside of the tool receiving cradles 152. The wall 162 provides anabutment surface to help in the positioning of tools within the cradle152. The insert 34 has a longitudinal length of about three-quarters(¾″) of an inch. The insert 36 is substantially the same as insert 34except the insert 36 has a longitudinal length about two and one-half(2½) times that of insert 34. Thus, a pan portion 164 is formed betweenthe wall 162 and second cradle portion 156. The insert 36 has eightreceiving recesses 120 like those described in insert 34.

[0051] Turning to FIG. 17, insert 37 is illustrated. Insert 37 issimilar to insert 34 except that insert 37 includes five tool receivingrecesses 120. The tool receiving recesses are substantially the same asthose previously described, having a V-shaped cradle 152 as well as thefingers 124. The insert 37 includes a stepped portion 168 which enablesother types of tools such as sockets to be retained in the insert 37.However, any cradle shape having an apex would be able to receive a toolapex.

[0052] FIGS. 18-20 illustrate the insertion of a polygonal cross-sectionshaped tool into the fingers 124. As shown in FIG. 18, a tool bit 170 ispositioned on top of barbs 160 of the fingers 124. The tool 170 has ahexagonal cross-section with a flat portion spanning between the twofingers 124. As the tool 170 is forced through the fingers 124, thefingers 124 spread apart with respect to one another. As the fingers 124spread, the barbs 160 rotate the tool 170. The rotation continues untila pair of flats 176 are between the opposing barbs 160. At that time,the tool 170 is self-orientated with an apex 172 pointed forward of theapex 174 of the V-shaped cradle. The tool 170 is continued to be forceddown into the V-shaped cradle as illustrated in FIG. 20. As this occurs,the apex 172 of the tool seats into the apex 174 of the V-shaped cradle.Thus, the fingers 124 act to self-align or self-orientate the tool 170in the V-shaped cradle 152. Thus, the V-shaped cradle 152 receives thetool 170 prohibiting any loose tools within the container. Also, thefingers and V-shaped cradle instantly locate the tool bit 170 inposition in the tool receiving recess. The barb surfaces 161 seat on aflat surface 176 of the tool 170 to retain the tool within the recess.In the event an apex 172 of the tool 170 is pointing toward the apex 174of cradle 152, as shown in phantom in FIG. 18, the fingers 124 spreadand allow the tool 170 to drop directly into the cradle 152 with thetool apex 174 aligned to seat in cradle apex 172.

[0053] Turning to FIGS. 21-26, a second embodiment of the invention isshown.

[0054] Here, the housing members are the same as previously discussed,except that the dove-tail walls are replaced by flat walls. Likewise,the tool retaining inserts have flat side walls.

[0055] In their place, the base 42′, or the side walls 58′, 60′, have aroughed raised surface 41. Likewise, the inserts 30′ include side wallsand a base which include similar roughed surfaces 43. These roughedsurfaces 41, 43 with the raised and lowered portions enhance ultrasonicwelding. The inserts may be ultrasonically welded, adhered or glued tothe pair of housing members.

[0056]FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate the second embodiment like FIGS. 3 and4. Here, like FIGS. 3 and 4, the inserts 34′, 36′, 37′ may be positionedin multiple places or positions within the container. Also, the inserts34′, 36′, 37′ include the receiving members 120 and finger members 124as well as the V-shaped cradles 152 as explained above. The differencebetween the previous embodiment is the sides of the inserts.

[0057] The walls 58′ and 60′ include tenons or projecting members 59 and61. These projecting members 59, 61 are spaced along and do not extendthe entire height of the walls 58 and 60′. The projecting members 59 and61 act to position the inserts 30′, 32′, 34′, 36′, 37′ in the containerto allow for the multiple positioning of the inserts within the housingmember. The inserts include recesses or cut-outs 180 which receive theprojecting members 59 and 61. The cut-outs 180 are sized to receive theprojecting members 59, 61 and are positioned such that the projectingmembers position the inserts along the housing member. The mating of theprojecting member 59, 61 and recess or cut-out 180 enable the inserts tothen be adhesively glued or ultrasonically welded to be secured with thehousing member.

[0058] In the case of the inserts 34′, 36′ and 37′, the insert 34′ andthe insert 37′ would ordinarily include a single cut-out or recess 180while the insert 36′ would include two or three recesses 180 to receivethe projecting members 59 and 61. Also, it should be noted that theprojecting members could be positioned onto the inserts while therecesses could be formed within the walls 58′ and 60′.

[0059] While the above detailed description describes the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation, and alteration without deviating from the scopeand fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

1. A tool container, comprising: two housing members pivotally coupledwith one another for opening and closing with respect to one another, atleast one housing member defining a cavity for receiving tools, saidcavity defined by a base and a wall extending from said base; an insertfor retaining tools, said insert permanently secured in said cavity,said insert having a surface for securing with said member base or wall;and a mechanism for locking said pair of housing members with respect toone another in a closed position.
 2. The tool container according toclaim 1, wherein said surface being a plurality of alternating dove-tailrecesses and tenons on said insert and said wall, said tenonscooperating with opposing recesses.
 3. The tool container according toclaim 2, wherein said tenons have a front face being angled at about one(1°) degree with respect to vertical.
 4. The tool container according toclaim 3, wherein said recesses have faces at angles corresponding tosaid tenon front faces for locking the tenons and recesses together. 5.The tool container according to claim 1, wherein said housing basehaving a roughed surface.
 6. The tool container according to claim 5,wherein said insert has a roughed surface being in contact with saidbase roughed surface, and wherein the surfaces are ultrasonically weldedtogether.
 7. The tool container according to claim 1, wherein saidinsert includes a plurality of tool-receiving members.
 8. The toolcontainer according to claim 7, wherein at least one retaining memberbeing adjacent said tool-receiving member for retaining the tool in thereceiving member.
 9. The tool container according to claim 1, whereinsaid locking mechanism includes a rail member on each housing member anda latch slidable on said rail members between a locked and unlockedposition.
 10. The tool container according to claim 9, wherein said railmembers being arcuate.
 11. The tool container according to claim 10,wherein said latch having a channel for receiving said rails, saidchannel defined by an arcuate base surface in said latch, two side wallsextending from said base and two flanges extending from said side wallstowards one another.
 12. The tool container according to claim 11,wherein said base surface is arcuate along both a longitudinal andlateral axis.
 13. The tool container according to claim 11, wherein oneof said flanges including a cut-out enhancing coupling with said rails.14. The tool container according to claim 9, wherein said latchincluding first indicia indicating a locked and unlocked position. 15.The tool container according to claim 14, wherein said latch includes asecond indicia indicating direction of movement.
 16. The tool containeraccording to claim 9, wherein said latch is comprised of a first membercovered by a second member.
 17. The tool container according to claim16, wherein said first member providing rigidity to said latch.
 18. Thetool container according to claim 16, wherein a portion of said firstmember extending through said second member providing an indicia memberand said portion having a surface substantially flush with said secondmember.
 19. The tool container according to claim 18, wherein saidsecond member including a second indicia member.
 20. The tool containeraccording to claim 10, wherein said rail members are longitudinallyarcuate and laterally arcuate.
 21. A latch for a tool container,comprising: a body; a channel in said body for receiving a rail, saidchannel defined by an arcuate base surface in said latch, two side wallsextending from said base and two flanges extending from said side wallstowards one another.
 22. The latch according to claim 21, wherein saidbase surface is arcuate along both a longitudinal and lateral axis. 23.The latch according to claim 21, wherein one of said flanges including acut-out enhancing coupling with said rails.
 24. The latch according toclaim 21, wherein said latch including indicia indicating a locked andunlocked position.
 25. The latch according to claim 24, wherein saidlatch includes a second indicia indicating direction of movement. 26.The latch according to claim 21, wherein said latch comprised of a firstmember covered by a second member.
 27. The latch according to claim 26,wherein said first member providing rigidity to said latch.
 28. Thelatch according to claim 26, wherein a portion of said first memberextending through said second member providing an indicia member andsaid portion having a surface substantially flush with said secondmember.
 29. The latch according to claim 28, wherein said second memberincluding a second indicia member.
 30. The latch according to claim 21,wherein said body having an arcuate outer surface enabling manipulationby a user.
 31. The latch according to claim 26, wherein said secondmember is a soft material providing a gripping surface.
 32. The latchaccording to claim 26, wherein said first member being formed frompolypropylene and said second member formed from krayton.
 33. The toolcontainer according to claim 1, wherein said insert having a mechanismfor self-orientating a tool bit in said insert.
 34. The tool containeraccording to claim 32, wherein said mechanism includes two fingersextending from said insert and a V-shaped tool receiving channel, saidtwo fingers, if necessary, rotating a tool bit to seat a tool bit apexin an apex of said V-shaped tool receiving channel.
 35. The toolcontainer according to claim 7, wherein said tool receiving members havea V-shaped cradle for receiving a tool.
 36. The tool container accordingto claim 35, wherein said V-shaped cradle has an aperture forming twospaced V-shaped cradle portions.
 37. The tool container according toclaim 36, wherein two fingers are positioned adjacent said apertures forenabling flexing of said fingers to maintain the tool bit in saidV-shaped cradle portions.
 38. The tool container according to claim 7,wherein a wall member being positioned at an end of said insert adjacentsaid tool receiving members.
 39. A tool retaining insert, comprising: abody member; a plurality of V-shaped tool receiving cradles; and amechanism coupled with said body adjacent said V-shaped tool receivingcradles for retaining tools in said cradles.
 40. The insert according toclaim 39, wherein said mechanism and V-shaped cradle self-orientate toolbits in said cradle.
 41. The insert according to claim 40, wherein saidmechanism includes two fingers extending from said insert said twofingers, if necessary, rotating a tool bit to seat a tool bit apex in anapex of said V-shaped tool receiving channel.
 42. The insert accordingto claim 39, wherein said V-shaped cradle has an aperture forming twospaced V-shaped cradle portions.
 43. The insert according to claim 42,wherein two fingers are positioned adjacent said apertures for enablingflexing of said fingers to maintain the tool bit in said V-shaped cradleportions.
 44. The insert according to claim 39, wherein a wall memberbeing positioned at an end of said insert adjacent said tool receivingmembers.
 45. The insert according to claim 39, wherein said insertincludes a mechanism adapted to couple with a container for positioningsaid insert in a plurality of positions in the container.
 46. The insertaccording to claim 45, wherein said mechanism being dove-tail tenons andrecesses.
 47. The insert according to claim 39, wherein said insertincludes eight V-shaped tool receiving cradles.
 48. The insert accordingto claim 39, wherein said body includes five V-shaped tool receivingcradles.
 49. A tool container, comprising: a housing member defining acavity for receiving tools, said cavity defined by a base and a wallextending from said base; a plurality of inserts for retaining tools,said plurality of inserts being multi-positionable in said housingmember at any one of a plurality of predetermined positions and beingsubstantially permanently secured in said cavity, said inserts having asurface for securing with said housing member base or wall.
 50. The toolcontainer according to claim 49, wherein said wall having alternatingtenons and grooves.
 51. The tool container according to claim 50,wherein said inserts have alternating tenons and grooves for mating withsaid wall.
 52. The tool container according to claim 49, wherein saidwall and inserts having either cut-outs or projecting members forcoupling with one another to position said inserts in one of a pluralityof positions in said cavity.
 53. The tool container according to claim49, wherein said wall has said projecting members and said inserts havesaid cut-outs.
 54. The tool container according to claim 49, wherein asecond housing member defining a cavity for receiving inserts ishingedly coupled with said first housing member, said members movingfrom an open to a closed position.
 55. A method of making a toolcontainer, comprising: providing a housing member having a cavitydefined by a base and a wall extending from said base; providing atleast one tool receiving insert having a plurality of tool receivingmembers, said wall or base and said at least one tool receiving inserthaving mating mechanisms; positioning said at least one insert in one ofa plurality of predetermined positions in said cavity wherein saidmating mechanism mate with one another; and securing said at least oneinsert in said cavity.
 56. The method according to claim 55, whereinsaid mating mechanisms are projecting members and recesses.
 57. Themethod according to claim 55, wherein said projecting members andrecesses are dove-tail tenons and grooves.
 58. The method according toclaim 55, further comprising providing a plurality of inserts andpositioning and securing said plurality of inserts in said cavity. 59.The method according to claim 55, wherein said securing is by saidmating members.
 60. The method according to claim 55, further comprisinghingedly securing a second housing member with a cavity to said firsthousing member.
 61. The method according to claim 60, further comprisingpositioning and securing at least one insert into said second housingmember.
 62. A method of securing a tool bit in a tool retaining insert,comprising: providing a tool retaining insert having at least oneV-shaped tool receiving cradle and two fingers extending from saidinsert adjacent said at least one tool receiving cradle; providing atool having a polygonal cross-section; positioning said tool on saidfingers; applying a force on said tool to spread said fingers; forcingsaid tool past said fingers into said V-shaped cradle wherein uponforcing past said finger, said fingers, if necessary, rotating andorientating said tool such that an apex of said tool seats in an apex ofsaid V-shaped cradle.
 63. The method according to claim 62, wherein ifrotating of the tool is not necessary, said tool apex seats directly insaid apex of said V-shaped cradle.
 64. The tool container according toclaim 15, wherein one of said indicia is in a contrasting color withrespect to the other.
 65. The tool container according to claim 64,wherein one indicia is yellow and the other black.
 66. The latchaccording to claim 29, wherein one of said indicia is in a contrastingcolor with respect to the other.
 67. The latch according to claim 66,wherein said first member indicia being yellow and said second memberincluding said second indicia being black.
 68. A tool container,comprising: two housing members pivotally coupled with one another foropening and closing with respect to one another, each housing memberdefining a cavity for receiving tools, said cavity defined by a base anda closed peripheral wall extending from the base; at least one insertfor retaining tools permanently secured in each cavity, said inserthaving at least one recess or projecting member for mating with anopposing projecting member or recess in said wall; an arcuate rail oneach of said housing members; and a latch for coupling with said rail,said latch including an arcuate channel for receiving said arcuate rail,said latch having a first rigid member and a soft outer covering with afirst indicia member from said first rigid member projecting throughsaid second soft member and a second indicia member being on said secondmember and said first and second indicia member being of contrastingcolors.